Getting involved means helping us to develop services that meet the needs of the people we care for. We are keen to involve as many people as possible in the work of the Trust, including patients, the families and friends who provide support and unpaid care, and our local community.
Our Lived Experience Network is a growing group of people, who all have lived experience of accessing our services or caring for a relative or friend who has, within the last five years. Our members all have their own reasons for joining the network, including a passion to use their experiences to improve services for others.
Our members work with staff on:
Our network members are offered an hourly rate for involvement that matches the London Living Wage.
If you are interested in joining the network, please contact the Involvement Team via involvement@swlstg.nhs.uk. The team oversees the running of the network and helps match people to activities that best suit their interests and lived experience.
What our network members have said:
“It made me feel better about services, that what I said made a difference for other people who might need to go into hospital.”
“Being involved in the recruitment panels has really made a difference. The people on the panel really listened and for the first time since I became unwell, I felt validated. I am even thinking that returning to work may now be a reality.”
“I felt I was a part of something and that there was a place for me somewhere. I knew that all I needed to do was engage.”
“I find this work extremely rewarding. I continue to enjoy being part of this and seeing changes being implemented. Supporting other carers continues to be an enriching experience, both personally and professionally”.
Another way to get involved is by joining our Lived Experience Forum or Carer’s Families & Friends Reference Group.
The Lived Experience Forum (LEF) creates a dedicated space for staff leading on projects to seek support from Lived Experience Members (LEMs) and the Involvement Team. Together we determine the best way to approach lived experience involvement in the project. Involvement and coproduction take place within the LEF, and we plan and support the engagement of our Lived Experience Network members and other stakeholders in the project. The aim of the LEF is to support the Trust to develop meaningful and impactful co production opportunities.
A collective of carers, service leads, and borough carers’ centres, meet with a shared purpose: to improve quality and enhance both patient and carer experiences across our Trust. Anchored by the belief that we work better together, we collaborate to identify what matters most to carers and turn that insight into meaningful change.
The group meets every two months to discuss priorities and progress and hosts two annual Carers’ Listening Events — inclusive gatherings that welcome feedback from a wider circle of carers. These sessions are a vital way for carers to share their experiences and shape the future of the services we provide. The carer’s voice drives real improvements. Through shared feedback, we uncover the priorities that matter most and develop clear, actionable recommendations.
To find out more, please contact involvement@swlstg.nhs.uk.
